DVLA.2 Blossom Mystery Cache
badger4272: planning another series in area
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is the second in a series of puzzle caches set in THe Lyth Valley. Hence the Title.
DAMSON VALLEY (LYTH) AMBLE. 2 Blossom.
NB. Refer to info in GC25WA6. The cache is not at the above co-ordinates.
The Westmorland Damson
The Westmorland damson is a member of the plum family. It is thought to be a type of Shropshire prune (possibly the Blue Violet) but improved by the unique conditions in Westmorland and pollination by the wild Bullace and Sloe. There are damsons in other parts of the British Isles but the flavour of the smaller Westmorland damson is said to be second to none.
Regrettably the county of Westmorland no longer exists except as a fond memory - it is now incorporated into the much larger county of Cumbria, which embraces the whole of the English Lake District and the lands of Lancashire and Furness north of the Sands of Morecambe Bay.
Westmorland damsons grow mainly in and around the Lyth and Winster valleys, south-west of Kendal in the English Lake District. The orchards of the Lyth Valley are unique, surrounding each small farmstead and growing along every hedgerow in the valley.
At some time in April, exactly when depending on the weather, the orchards and hedgerows become snow white with blossom - a wonderful sight to see. The fruit ripens in September and is sold from roadside stalls and in local shops.
History of the Damson
Originally damsons came from the area around Damascus, hence the name. Some say the Crusaders brought back damson stones to try in England. Damson trees are often found around sites of Roman camps - perhaps the Romans introduced them to Britain. Damson stones were found in a bag round the waist of a 4000 year-old 'Ice Man' uncovered recently in the Alps. Damson stones have been excavated at the Viking Yorvick centre at York.
Damson skins have been used for the manufacture of purple dye from Roman times. Damsons have been grown and sold in Westmorland since the early 1700s, if not earlier. Until the outbbreak of war in 1939, on Damson Saturday, the whole of Kendal was full of carts selling damsons and cartloads were taken by rail to jam factories in Lancashire. About 250 tons was sold in Westmorland in 1938. The first Damson Growers Association was formed in Westmorland in 1938 and established a small canning and village jam factory. A shortage of sugar and manpower in the Second World war caused its demise.
At the height of the damson growing period, the white blossom was such a sight to see that charabancs came from all over Lancashire to drive through the Lyth Valley on Damson Sunday.
Using Damsons Today
Damsons are used for a variety of products - from jams, jellies and chutneys to wine and Damson Gin. Another local use is to make Damson Beer, sold locally.
Damsons are sold by the roadside and in local shops as the fruit ripens, usually in the second half of September.
An effort is being made by the WDA to revive local outlets for using and selling damsons to try and place the harvested fruit on a more sound commercial basis and ensure the survival of these historic and beautiful orchards. An annual Damson Day is held to promote damsons and damson produce.
DVLA.2. Blossom.
The true co-ordinates can be found by deducting 0.073 from the Latitude and deducting 0.448 from the Longitude of DVLA.1.
The cache container is a 35mm film canister containing log and pencil.
DAMSON AND APPLE TANSY
Tansies originally always included tansy, a bitter-sweet herb which still lends its name to many custard and omelette-type puddings. This combination traditionally used Witherslack damsons which grow south of Lake Windermere.
Ingredients
Serves: 4
2 Large Cox's Orange Pippin apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
225 Gram Damsons, halved, stoned & quartered (8 oz)
15 Gram Butter ( 1/2 oz)
40 Gram Sugar (1 1/2 oz)
Pinch Ground cloves
Pinch Ground cinnamon
4 Eggs, separated
3 Tablespoon Soured cream or yogurt
Method
Put the apples, damsons, butter and half the sugar in a large frying pan.
Cook over a gentle heat, until the fruit is softened, stirring continuously. Stir in the spices, then remove from the heat.
Beat the egg yolks with the cream and stir into the fruit. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then carefully fold in.
Cook over a low heat until the mixture has set. Sprinkle the top with the remaining sugar, then brown under a hot grill. Serve immediately, straight from the pan, with soured cream or yogurt.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybt.